antagonistic

[an-tag-uh-nis-tik]

adjective

1. acting in opposition; opposing, especially mutually.

2. hostile; unfriendly.

Other Word Forms

• antagonistically adverb
• nonantagonistic adjective
• nonantagonistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antagonistic¹

First recorded in 1625–35; antagonist + -ic

Example Sentences

Danny and Lena, the show’s main characters, find themselves unofficial partners in the two episodes out for review, as they go from antagonistic to affectionate.

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They’ve been antagonistic, and it felt like a beautiful moment of female friendship and blossoming and this incredible Gaga song was just like the icing on the cake.

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Several weeks later, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order reaffirming California’s commitment to its emissions goals, and effectively sending state agencies back to the drawing board in light of a newly antagonistic federal government.

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McDonald said the company’s push toward Discovery Mode — where artists accept a lower royalty rate in exchange for better placement in its algorithm — added to the sense that Spotify is antagonistic to working artists’ values.

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And that escalation comes amid growing global instability contributing to a Manichean world of antagonistic armed blocs, reminiscent of the Cold War at its worst.

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Related Words

• combative 
• hostile 
• inimical 
• unfriendly